96/97 report 003

1996/97 Mars Observation Reports

-- #003 -- 16 Oct. - 15 Nov. 1996


OAA MARS SECTION --- MINAMI ---

* ...The present report deals with the observations made during the period from 16 October to 15 November 1996;
during which the Martian season proceeded from 024°Ls to 038°Ls, while the apparent diameter just moved from 5.1" to 5.9" arc yet. The latitude of the sub-Earth point was from 22°N to 24°N. The phase angle became larger from 33° to 36° during the period.

* ... We received this time the observations as follows:


HIKI, Toshiaki  (Hk)  Minowa, Nagano, Japan
     6 Drawings  (18, 20 Oct; 3, 15 Nov)  360× 16cm speculum 

ISHADOH, Hiroshi  (Id) Naha,Japan
     1 Drawing   (5 Nov)  530× 31cm speculum

MINAMI, Masatsugu  (Mn)  Fukui, Japan
    14 Drawings  (21, 30 Oct; 3, 15 Nov)  340,400× 20cm refractor*

NAKAJIMA, Takashi  (Nj)   Fukui, Japan
     1 Drawing   (15 Nov)  340× 20cm refractor*

NARITA, Hiroshi  (Nr)   Kawasaki, Japan
     6 Drawings  (23, 25, 29, 30 Oct; 5. 9 Nov)  400× 20cm refractor

                                    * Fukui City Observatory

* ... During this one month, the areas from Elysium eastwards to Syrtis Mj were seen from Japan. On 18 Oct HIKI(Hk) watched at LCM=225°W and 235°W, and observed that Elysium was not particularly light (025°Ls). At Fukui, on 21 Oct, we saw the area of Propontis I to be shadowy adjacent to the dark fringe of the north polar cap (npc) which was very evident. The evening limb of the southern hemisphere was whitish light at LCM=199°W, and surely Elysium was not evident. On 30 Oct, we started at Fukui from LCM=087° W: M Acidalium was dark near the evening terminator, and Chryse-Xanthe was dull light at the evening side. Solis L was just visible followed by a white patch at the morning limb of the disk. Argyre was whitish bright near the southern limb. Observed up to LCM=128°W (21:10GMT): The npc was clear and the morning edge looked roundish. The area at Propontis I was shadowy. On 3 Nov, Hk observed at LCM=086°W: The fringe of the npc was well dark in contrast with the npc, while Tempe was dull. Hk sometimes detected an isolated Solis L. Auroae S was very dark. M Sirenum was seen at the morning side. On the same day, we started from LCM=043°W at Fukui: The northern part of M Acidalium was quite dark connected with the dark fringe of the npc. Chryse- Xanthe was dull light, while Argyre looked whitish bright near the southern terminator. Observed up to LCM=087°W. On 5 Nov, ISHADOH (Id) observed at LCM=066°W and detected Nilokeras not to mention of Ganges. The dark fringe was evident also to him. Xanthe was misty light near the evening terminator. Argyre looked slightly light to him. The are around Solis L was obscure. The npc was not so glossy. On 15 Nov, the transparency condition was so poor at Fukui that we just saw a trace of Syrtis Mj, while the sky at Ina where Hk observes was clear, and Hk made two drawings at LCM=323°W and 332°W and watched how M Acidalium came in. S Meridiani was spotted. The npc was purely whitish and looked well roundish to him.

* ...The weather condition was generally poor this time; It became colder and at Ina where HIKI observes it recorded 1°C on 20 Oct though at Fukui not lower than 3°C. MURAKAMI (Mk) tried to make a sketch several times, but the seeing condition at Fujisawa didn't allow him to draw. (Mn)


Back to Top Page